1967 Ford Mustang Fastback - Making The Show

Rebecca McClain Used To Be A Car-Show Spectator. With This '67 Fastback, She's Now A Qualified Participant.

Miles Cook

March 28, 2007

Photos By:
Nathan McClain

Throughout the years, Rebecca McClain attended numerous automotive events in the western U.S., including Hot August Nights in Reno, Nevada; Midnight at the Oasis in Yuma, Arizona; and Run to the Pines in Pinetop, Arizona. She also traveled to the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, as well as various Good Guys and World of Wheels gatherings. The problem was, she never felt like a part of the shows because she didn't have a car of her own.

Rebecca remedied that when she and her husband Greg set their sights on this '67 fastback in 2003. Initially, it appeared to be a nice driver from Texas, but as is so often the case, the fastback needed more work than was originally anticipated. As Greg told us, "The engine may have been reconditioned, but it wasn't rebuilt. The paint was fair except where it had bubbled up, mainly on the center of the hood. There were leaks, the transmission slipped, and the rearend whined. Other than that, the car ran, stopped, and looked great from a distance.

The fix-up project quickly developed into a full-blown restoration of the restomod kind, with assistance from The Mustang Shop and Custom Automotive Specialists, where the unique paint was applied. It's a 12-coat custom hue called Candy Brandywine, stock from House of Kolor, but with the basecoat changed from Galaxy Grey Metallic to Brite Silver Metallic to significantly brighten the red. The paint is augmented with twin racing stripes in a custom color known as Six Figure Champagne, a shade Rebecca spotted at the Barrett-Jackson auction. The car's emblems were removed, and the front end was accented with a billet grille.

The custom interior includes a Mercedes tan carpet and seats covered with leather cashmere. Rebecca supervised the design of the pony outline embroidered in the seatbacks, floor mats, and truck mat. Sounds come from a Pioneer stereo system with numerous amps and speakers, while a CD changer is mounted in the trunk. A Flaming River tilt-steering column with a custom wheel and a Vintage Air A/C system completes the interior.

Originally equipped with an S-code 390 four-barrel, the car still sports FE power in the form of a freshened-up 390 short-block topped with Edelbrock components, including Cobra Jet FE heads, Performer RPM intake manifold, and a 750-cfm carb. Offenhauser valve covers, a chrome export brace, and a Monte Carlo bar provide visual pop. Ignition system bits are from MSD, and Hooker headers connect to a custom 2-1/2-inch exhaust system that incorporates Flowmaster mufflers

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The fastback still has its C-6 automatic transmission, which has been rebuilt. The original 9-inch rear axle was also rebuilt, this time with 3.25 gears.

American Racing billet wheels are wrapped with Michelin tires, 225/ 45ZR17s in front and 275/40ZR18s out back. Other underpinning components include Flaming River rack-and-pinion steering and Baer four-wheel disc brakes.

The finished car is the result of several years of hard work that began with the idea of building a Mustang for Rebecca, who now has a unique Mustang that's surely a standout at any show.